Dual Credit – High School & College Learning Opportunities
"Dual Credit" (DC) refers to post-secondary programs or courses offered to secondary learners while they are still in high school. DC learners are both secondary and post-secondary learners simultaneously, and they earn credits toward high school graduation as well as post-secondary credits.
The ability for learners to move through the educational system quickly and efficiently is beneficial for learners, employers and taxpayers. British Columbia has long been a leader in Canada in transfer among its post-secondary institutions and, more recently, Dual Credit programs have had demonstrated success in enhancing pathways from the K-12 system through to post-secondary education. This is especially important for learners who did not see themselves attending post-secondary or are first generation to do so. The emerging economy, characterized by rapid changes in the characteristics of work and new uses of technology, creates an urgent need for even more efficiency to achieve system-wide educational goals.
Dual credit learners are more likely to graduate on time, with increases:
- +8% all learners;
- +11% Indigenous learners;
- +12% learners with disabilities and diverse needs.
Dual credit learners are more likely to transition to post secondary in BC, with increases:
- +15.2 % learners with disabilities and diverse needs;
- +15.8% Indigenous learners;
- +16.0% across all subgroups of learners;
- +16.5% female learners.
A specific example of a dual credit program is the South Island Partnership Programs at Camosun College. The South Island Partnership (SIP) includes Camosun College and the five south Vancouver Island school districts: SD61 Victoria, SD62 Sooke, SD63 Saanich, SD64 Gulf Islands and SD79 Cowichan Valley. learners can access dual credit training opportunities in various career sectors that include health and human services, technology, a host of trades, and a few speciality areas as well.